With the Braves set to begin another October run and the Falcons actually showing signs of life early in the season, it’s easy to forget the NBA season is right around the corner. Trae Young and the Hawks are scheduled to tip off their NBA slate two weeks from today against the Rockets. Following the acquisition of Dejounte Murray this offseason, this is easily one of the most highly anticipated seasons in franchise history, as Atlanta aims to get back to the Eastern Conference Finals and beyond. They certainly have the talent to do it, but oddsmakers aren’t yet buying what the Hawks are bringing to the table.
NBA Title Odds (via Draft Kings)
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Clippers | +550 |
| Celtics | +600 |
| Warriors | +600 |
| Nets | +700 |
| Bucks | +800 |
| Suns | +1200 |
| 76ers | +1500 |
| Lakers | +1800 |
| Nuggets | +1800 |
| Mavericks | +2000 |
| Heat | +2000 |
| Grizzlies | +2200 |
| Cavs | +3000 |
| Timberwolves | +3500 |
| Raptors | +4500 |
| Hawks | +4500 |
| Bulls | +6500 |
| Trail Blazers | +8000 |
| Knicks | +15000 |
| Hornets | +18000 |
| Trail Blazers | +10000 |
| Wizards | +40000 |
| Kings | +70000 |
| Pistons | +70000 |
| Pacers | +100000 |
| Jazz | +100000 |
| Spurs | +100000 |
| Thunder | +100000 |
| Magic | +100000 |
| Rockets | +100000 |
The Hawks odds came down considerably after the acquisition of Dejounte Murray. Earlier this summer, they were listed at 80/1 to take home the title. Still, they are well behind several teams that haven’t necessarily earned the right to be in the conversation for an NBA championship.
The Hawks, while they’ve never been considered NBA title contenders around the league, at least have been to an Eastern Conference Finals and pushed the eventual champions to six games… and that was without Dejounte Murray.
There are questions about how Young and Murray will click, which is fair. Chemistry can mean everything in this game. However, if this duo does mesh well, this will be by far the most talented team Atlanta has put on the floor in decades. Given how wide open the landscape of the NBA is today, I would say the Hawks are one of the better bets on this board because of their odds. There’s enough star power on Atlanta to make another deep run in the playoffs if things go right.